Pakistan floods: the engineering story

Plus: A robot filmed inside Hurricane Fiona and the footage is amazing. Sep 27, 2022 [Blueprint]( The [devastating flooding in Pakistan]( killed over 1,500 people and damaged over two million homes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres was quick to blame the climate crisis. But is that the truth? Was it actually engineers that were to blame? Or was it both? In Pakistan, there is much debate about the preparedness for such disasters – or lack thereof. In fact, some analysts are blaming successive governments’ inadequate policies and botched infrastructure, which they say was ill-prepared for the climate crisis-driven devastation in the country. But before you delve deeper into the causes of that natural disaster, take a look at the footage of this one. [This video]( is the result of what happened when a robot went inside Hurricane Fiona, and it’s pretty spectacular. Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [A robot went inside Hurricane Fiona, and the footage is like nothing you’ve seen before.]( [A robot went inside Hurricane Fiona.]( It’ll put the wind up you. [Must Read]MUST READ [Pakistan flooding: ‘Climate carnage’ or botched engineering? [premium]]( [Paikstan flooding cause.]( Experts say this year's [monsoon rains in Pakistan]( were the worst ever, flooding one-third of the country. Millions of acres of crops were ruined, and over 33 million people were displaced (from a population of 220 million). Climate change was widely blamed for the devastation, and there can be little doubt it played a part. But could Pakistan have been better prepared, or done more to stave off what quickly became a humanitarian disaster? Were engineers in fact partly to blame for the poor infrastructure that seemed to give way so easily? The suggestion from Dr. Gohram Malghani, who teaches environmental science at the Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering, and Management Sciences, is that poor planning, infrastructural design, and engineering flaws have all contributed to the devastation. He also put forward the idea that Pakistan “relied” on bridges constructed by the British during the 2010 floods. → Pakistan is responsible for less than one percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, but it is the eighth-most vulnerable country to the climate crisis. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [Scientists drilled two miles into the tectonic plate to understand Japan’s ‘great earthquake’.]( [Scientists have discovered links]( to Japan's next “great earthquake” after drilling deep into the underseas. The researchers found that the tectonic stress in Japan's Nankai subduction zone is less than expected after studying an earthquake fault. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - How an MIT researcher's [zero-electricity cooling system]( could reduce food shortages. [premium] - Chinese scientists created a [first-of-its-kind Arctic wolf]( called Maya. - '[Every sperm for itself]( is a myth, new research finds. [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [Volkswagen's new partnership will develop vehicle-to-grid energy storage.]( Volkswagen’s charging unit Elli and re.alto, a startup owned by Brussels-based Elia, has signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on ways to [integrate EVs into the electricity system]( to help fight global warming. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - How scientists engineered a [material that can 'think' and 'sense'](. [premium] - Architects create a [floating exhibition space]( in the shape of a fish eye. - Heat storage systems can [cut CO2 emissions by 15%]( in 15 years, really. Meet the ‘Brick Toaster.’ [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS What do you think was the main cause of the flooding? Devastating flooding in Pakistan killed over 1,500 people and damaged over two million homes. [Climate change]( [A lack of preparation]( [Poor infrastructure]( [Something else entirely]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you if you think volcanic explosions could feasibly create new habitable land, and 61 percent of you said yes, it’s possible. 61% Yes, it’s possible 19% Maybe, but I wouldn't build anything too permanent 14% No, they don’t normally 7% It’s hard to say [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Nostalgia Countertop Oven]( [image]( [DeWalt Long Range Walkie Talkies]( [image]( [Barco CSE 200 Presentation System]( [image]( [Chargepoint EV Charger]( [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” T.S. Eliot 1888–1965 American-born British poet, critic, and dramatist: The Rock (1934) pt. 1. [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Biohybrid [microrobots could be prescribed]( to you one day. [premium] - Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to almost [200 genetic variants](. (New Scientist) - New genetically engineered [herpes virus kills cancer cells](. - After eons of isolation, these [desert fish flub social cues](. (Science News) - How you could [develop US military tech](. [premium] - Some [ecologists value parasites]( — and now want a plan to save them. (SN Explores) - Chinese scientists discover cannonball-sized [dinosaur eggs filled with crystals](. [Subscribe to IE+ today.]( Prepared by Alice Cooke Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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